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Police Hope Headwear Will Help Find Murder Suspect

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GRAND PRAIRIE (CBSDFW.COM) – Grand Prairie police need help tracking down a man who they believe shot two people in less than two weeks. One of those victims died from his injuries.

The first armed robbery attempt and shooting happened on February 15 at the Quail Ridge Apartments, in the 1900 block of West Tarrant Road. It was after Midnight when 43-year-old Paul Rodriguez arrived at the apartment complex with a friend. Police say a man attempted to rob the pair and shot Rodriguez in the process. He was taken to a local hospital but died a short time later.

Les than two weeks later, on February 27, an emergency call reported a shooting at the Timber Oaks Apartments, in the 700 block of Timber Oaks. The victim later told police a man approached him and demanded the keys to his vehicle. The victim said he tried to run away but was shot in the left leg.

The shooter was able to flee from both locations without being captured. Now police are hanging their hat on some evidence found at the scene of the deadly shooting on the 15th. Detective Mark Beseda says it is a hat. “The suspect was wearing that at the time of the homicide and when he fled the scene that hat came off and we recovered it from the ground.”

Police have released pictures of the hat because it’s very unusual. “We recovered a very distinct winter cap that has earflaps on it. It’s black in color and is furry, or has wool on the sides.”

Investigators are hoping the suspect’s unusual fashion choice will help identify the murderer. “We just want to get that out there and see if anybody recognizes that hat. Maybe they saw the suspect out in public, or friends or family may recognize that hat,” Beseda said.

Anyone with information about the murder, attempted robberies or the suspect is asked to call the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 972-988-TIPS (4877) or Grand Prairie Major Crimes Detectives at 972-237-8877.